1875. J 
A WINTER GARDEN IN THE OPEN AIR. 
87 
associated in groups or masses, seldom as single or isolated specimens. It is 
scarcely logical or just to condemn the grouping or bedding-out system on account 
of the shortcomings of unskilful practitioners, who may occasionally employ 
greater breadths of the bright or primary colours than can be considered to accord 
with accepted notions or ideas of good taste. It will, I think, be difficult to substan¬ 
tiate the charge so frequently brought against this system, viz., that of excluding 
from the parterre our former favourite flowers, as possibly the finer or most ornamen¬ 
tal species of hardy spring-flowering herbaceous plants were never more sought after 
and appreciated than they are at the present time. Even if some of the tall, coarse- 
growing Asters, Solidcigos , &c., which were wont to disfigure our flower borders, 
are now at a discount, so much the better ; and if the bedding-out system is to be 
accredited with this result, we ought to feel grateful towards it. For some time 
to come, at least, we shall probably continue to bed out our flower-gardens as 
heretofore, and each season it may be hoped will in this respect prove to be an 
advance on its predecessor as regards effect and tasteful arrangement. 
We have also gardens for the culture of Spring flowers and Bulbs, Bose gardens, 
and gardens for Rhododendrons, and other American plants; and nothing need 
prevent us from having Winter Gardens in the open air—gardens wherein flowers 
(which are all but incompatible with a British winter) would, if not altogether 
excluded, play but an inconsiderable part. 
A recent visit to the extensive nursery grounds of the Messrs. Barron, of 
Borrowash, near Derby, well known for their unrivalled collection of coniferous 
trees, &c., impressed me with an idea of the ease with which such a conception 
as that to which I am about to allude, could be developed, as I witnessed the 
vast amount and variety of material at command suited to this purpose, and the 
wondrous effect produced by many of the species of ornamental-foliaged plants, 
even while growing in the ordinary nursery-beds or lines, without of course any 
attempt at effective arrangement, but which sufficiently shadowed forth the 
pleasing effects which would be the result of working such material into the 
form of a winter garden or a garden of ornamental-foliaged evergreens. 
Such a garden might, of course, be of any desired form and dimensions, so as 
to suit local circumstances and the character of the grounds, by which it 
might be surrounded, and of which it would necessarily form a part. It might 
also be laid out according to any desired style, but the more natural and simple 
the better. It should by all means be on grass, but at the same time so arranged 
that sound walks of dry gravel should lead to and afford ready access to all parts 
of it, walking upon grass being by no means always agreeable during winter. 
Beds or groups should be formed of such plants as the various kinds of Gold 
and Silver Variegated Hollies , Gold and Silver Yews , with masses of light- 
coloured and variegated plants of various sorts, having for their background trees or 
shrubs with dark-coloured foliage, or in various ways agreeably contrasted with plants 
of a different shade of colour, such as the Common and Irish Yews and the neutral- 
tinted Junipers, Cypresses , &c. Such beds and clumps should be kept to the 
